NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-27-2025 12AM EST

Episode Date: January 27, 2025

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Usher, Yo-Yo Ma, Boy Genius, Shaka Khan, Billie Eilish, Weird Al, one thing all these big stars have in common, they've all played behind NPR's Tiny Desk. And if you enter NPR's Tiny Desk Contest between now and February 10th, you could be next. Unsigned musicians can find out more and see the official rules at npr.org slash tiny desk contest. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. President Donald Trump is denying that software company Oracle is planning to take over TikTok.

As NPR's Bobby Allen reports, Trump's comments come despite senior White House officials discussing an Oracle deal to save the video app. When asked on Air Force One about an NPR report describing how Oracle is working on a deal to put up tens of billions of dollars for a large stake in TikTok, Trump was dismissive. Trump said he hasn't talked to Larry about it. That's Larry Ellison, founder and chairman of Oracle. Some context.

Trump tried to broker a deal to sell TikTok to Ellison in his first term. Trump said just days ago, quote, I'd like Larry to buy it about TikTok. And Oracle already has a huge contract with TikTok for web hosting. Two people involved with the White House talks who weren't authorized to speak publicly told NPR, Oracle, Microsoft, and other investors are putting together a deal to buy out TikTok's Chinese steak.

Negotiators say under the deal, Oracle would have oversight of the app's data, algorithm, and software updates. Bobby Allen, NPR News. A key ally of President Donald Trump says Trump's pardon of some January 6 rioters is sending the wrong signal. Speaking on CNN, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina also expressed concern about the future ramifications of the issuance of sweeping clemencies.

I don't like this. I don't like it on either side and I think the public doesn't like it either so if this continues, if this is the norm, there may be an effort to rein in the pardon power of the president as an institution Graham particularly questioned the pardons issued to rioters who fought with police he said the pardons are not what you do to protect police Student organizers in Tennessee are planning to march Monday at the Statehouse to demand gun reform Following Wednesday's school shooting in Nashville. Two students died, including the shooter. Mariana Bakhiaw, Member Station WPLN reports. A groundswell movement for gun reform in 2023 after the deadly Covenant school shooting did not sway Tennessee's Republican supermajority, which refused a call from its Republican governor

to pass a red flag law. College student Jermaine Cole Jr. says he doesn't expect the recent shooting at Antioch High School to change any minds, but he's still going to march at the Capitol. I'm tired of doing this. Year after year, I show up hoping that they'll do something about gun violence and it never changes. The Tennessee House has already restricted the public's access to the chamber by reserving half of the gallery for guests of lawmakers. For NPR News, I'm Mariana Bacayal in Nashville. Israeli forces in south Lebanon opened fire today on protesters.

They killed at least 22 people and injured dozens of others. The protesters were demanding the withdrawal of those Israeli troops in accordance with a ceasefire agreement. Hours after the shooting, the White House announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend the deadline for Israeli troops to leave the area. Now it will be February 18. You're listening to NPR News. French President Emmanuel Macron will visit the Louvre this weekend following reports that the world's most visited museum is

deteriorating. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley has more on our story. A leaky roof and a dangerous lack of temperature control were among a list of complaints detailed by the museum's director to the culture minister in a letter obtained by the French press. The Louvre is like a leaky aircraft carrier. That's New York Times journalist Elaine Sciolino, whose new book on the Louvre will be out in April. She says architect I.M. Pei's iconic glass pyramid at the museum's entrance is not helping matters either.

The pyramid, which everybody loves and it's supposed to be modernity and everything is in terrible shape. There's a greenhouse effect so it's hot, it's noisy. Set up to receive four million visitors a year, the Louvre welcomes twice that many. The director called for a separate entrance for Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa which is thronged by visitors all day long. Eleanor Beardsley in Pierre news Paris. Jalen hurts rush for three touchdowns tonight

as the Philadelphia Eagles pounded the Washington commanders 55 to 23 in their NFL semi-final game. Afterward coach Nick Sirianni says he is happy with QB one. We've been through a lot together, right? A lot of wins, some downtimes, but that's what kind of forges relationships and I don't want anybody else leading this team, you know, at quarterback other than him. Patrick Mahomes meanwhile accounted for three touchdowns as the Kansas City Chiefs rally to

beat the Buffalo Bills 32 to 29, the Bills and the Eagles meet in the Super Bowl next month. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. What's in store for the music, TV, and film industries for 2025? We don't know, but we're making some fun, bold predictions for the new year. Listen now to the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from NPR.